Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday 37 - Gannets over Popes Eye

Before anybody get too excited, "Popes Eye" is the name of an artificial island off shore from Queenscliff, Victoria.  It's named after one of the navel personnel who was involved in its construction and has no religious overtones at all.

I love visiting the place as you get wonderful views of the colony of Australian Gannets (Morus serrator) that live and breed on the island.  It is (as far as I am told) the only place where gannets of any sort breed on a man made structure at sea level - although I am inclined to think that this sort of "record" has rather too many caveats attached to it!

The Eye is a C shaped artificial reef that was being built as part of the Bays defences, but was overtaken by technology.  Guns were placed on the shore that could fire further, so this place was left to the birds.  The middle of the C is an oasis of calm and allows boats to get close to the birds without disturbing them.

These birds are about the same size as the Gannets (S. bassana) which is found in the Northern Hemisphere.

When these birds flash past and dive for fish there is no need to look further for entertainment.

On my last couple of trips to The Popes Eye I have concentrated some of my efforts on flight shots.








Now its over to you.  Click the link and off you go!


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62 comments:

  1. Karen27 March 2013 at 02:05

    Your efforts have been greatly rewarded. These are exquisite captures!

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  2. Rajesh27 March 2013 at 02:05

    Amazing shots of the bird in the flight.

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  3. Anonymous27 March 2013 at 02:07

    Beautiful shots in flight. We rarely see those here.

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  4. TexWisGirl27 March 2013 at 02:12

    such marvelous birds! love their soft, sleek coloring and bill. great shots, stewart! and thanks for hosting - always!

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  5. Kenneth Cole Schneider27 March 2013 at 02:17

    Your flight shots are tack sharp. I see some are banded/ringed. Researchers must be at work in their unique breeding area.

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  6. Esther Joy27 March 2013 at 02:27

    Beautiful photos! The gannets look like they are smiling!

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  7. HansHB27 March 2013 at 02:34

    A great serie of flight photos!
    Well done!

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  8. Phil Slade27 March 2013 at 02:52

    Brilliant shots Stewart - so like our UK Gannets too.

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  9. Carletta27 March 2013 at 03:06

    These are elegant looking birds. Concentrating your efforts on flight shots paid off very well for you - these are wonderful dividends of your patience.
    Lovely post Stewart!

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  10. EG CameraGirl27 March 2013 at 03:10

    Concentrating on getting flight shots really paid off! These are wonderful!

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  11. Sallie (FullTime-Life)27 March 2013 at 03:25

    Oh my gosh! The flight shots are breathtaking. And the birds are just beautiful. What a fascinating place as well; you describe it well..I can picture it. Great place for birding.

    Thanks for this post and for hosting as always.

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  12. i stora drag27 March 2013 at 05:00

    Such beautiful pictures of a fantastic bird! Love the blue sky too! :)
    Greetings Pia

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  13. Mary Howell Cromer27 March 2013 at 05:16

    What extraordinarily beautiful flight shots of these brilliant looking Gannets. I love that touch of peachy/pink colour atop their heads~

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  14. Hootin Anni27 March 2013 at 05:22

    Wow....I have seen these only in photos, and they are amazing...beautifully marked/masked.

    As for Popes Eye, thanks for clarifying. :o)

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  15. Andrea @ From The Sol27 March 2013 at 05:26

    What beautiful birds ... what wonderful photographs. The lines of these birds are so fine and artistic ... Great set of pictures, Stewart. I would say that concentrating on flight pictures has paid off. You are blessed with so many choices ... places to go, birds to see. I think you should retire and publish a book on the Birds of Australia ... sound like a plan?

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  16. Rebecca27 March 2013 at 05:32

    Great action shots! Thanks for hosting :)

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  17. mick27 March 2013 at 05:33

    Wonderful photos of the gannets. I see them occasionally during the late winter time.

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  18. Findlay Wilde27 March 2013 at 05:47

    Those Gannets are amazing. I watched them diving off Lands End in Cornwall last year. I would have watched them all day if I was allowed. From Findlay

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  19. Anonymous27 March 2013 at 06:01

    Your efforts to capture these stunning birds in flight payed off big time.
    Fantastic shots Stewart.
    My thanks for hosting WBW.

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  20. Wally Jones27 March 2013 at 06:01

    Wonderful photographs, Stewart!
    And once again you've managed to make me quite jealous. The only Gannets I get to see are about a million miles offshore!
    Just for that, I'm posting a woodpecker picture!

    Very interesting information about Popes Eye.

    Cheers - Wally

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  21. Carole M.27 March 2013 at 06:20

    excellent shots Stewart; you were right amongst them. What a fabulous time you had!

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  22. Karen27 March 2013 at 06:44

    These are really wonderful shots Stewart.

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  23. grammie g27 March 2013 at 07:09

    Hi Stewart...Gorgeous bird,sleek and soft colors and your flight shot's are wonderful !!
    I enjoyed your post info!!
    Grace

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  24. eileeninmd27 March 2013 at 08:08

    The Gannets have always been a favorite of mine. They are awesome birds, I love their coloring too. I have seen them dive in our Chesapeake Bay. Their are amazing to watch. Great post, Stewart. Happy Birding!

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  25. DeniseinVA27 March 2013 at 08:09

    Fantastic pictures Stewart, and an amazing bird.

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  26. My Maine Blog27 March 2013 at 08:24

    I just found your beautiful blog of birds. What amazing photos of these majestic Gannets. Capturing them in flight is amazing.

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  27. DIMI27 March 2013 at 09:58

    Exellent shots Stewart!Amazing bird!!Great work!!Thank you for sharing!Hope you have a lovely day!
    Dimi..

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  28. Kerri Farley27 March 2013 at 10:23

    WOW - these are truly magnificent!!

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  29. Becky27 March 2013 at 10:53

    Excellant in flight shots Stewart!!!

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  30. Ebie27 March 2013 at 12:09

    She is so graceful, the way she flaps her wings!

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  31. Anonymous27 March 2013 at 15:03

    I'd say you nailed the flight pictures. What a beautiful bird.

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  32. Stuart Price27 March 2013 at 16:21

    Great BIF shots again, shame we have no Gannets in the north Pacific........

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  33. TheChieftess27 March 2013 at 16:50

    Absolutely spectacular Stewart!!! Such a beautiful bird...captured so exquisitely in mid flight...
    Wonderful!!!

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  34. Diane27 March 2013 at 18:55

    Beautiful photos. I will be following but I would never manage to get a weekly photo of the birds here so I will appreciate yours. Have a good Easter Diane

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  35. Dave27 March 2013 at 19:15

    Love Gannets Stewart, one of the real photogenic species... its nearly time for me to venture over to the East coast for my Spring fill of them ... great post mate

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  36. Vores have27 March 2013 at 19:30


    Lovely pictures! Hanne Bente

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  37. Nancy27 March 2013 at 21:53

    Amazing birds - love their soft facial appearance.

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  38. Coloring Outside the Lines27 March 2013 at 21:55

    Nice shots- very graceful birds.

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  39. Anonymous27 March 2013 at 22:53

    Awesome flight series! Lovely, pristine looking bird!

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  40. Flat Creek Farm27 March 2013 at 23:12

    Breathtaking flight pictures - perfect! The Gannet is lovely and full of grace. Thank you for introducing me to yet another type of bird! Interesting location, as well. -Tammy

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  41. Revrunner27 March 2013 at 23:19

    Wonderful! One of these days, I'll join you for Wild Bird Wednesday.

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  42. Faye28 March 2013 at 00:11

    Catching these birds in flight really shows off their subtle markings--especially appreciate that soft gold on their heads. I'll bet you did spend some enjoyable time here, Stewart. Is it a big deal to get to the island?

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  43. Richard Pegler28 March 2013 at 00:33

    Absolutely wonderful images of the Gannets, Stewart. Well done!!

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  44. Grandma Barb's This and That28 March 2013 at 01:26

    Amazing shots of the bird in flight!
    Thanks for hosting.

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  45. Maude Lynn28 March 2013 at 01:41

    Magnificent captures!

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  46. CabinGirl28 March 2013 at 02:02

    Amazing shots, Stewart. I've never seen a Gannett, fascinating birds...

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  47. KaHolly28 March 2013 at 02:35

    Incredible photos of a very beautiful bird!

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  48. ~~~jennifer~~~28 March 2013 at 02:59

    Wow! Beautiful birds! Beautiful shots!

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  49. Gillian Olson28 March 2013 at 03:36

    Gorgeous markings on these birds, great pictures.

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  50. Anonymous28 March 2013 at 05:59

    Great Captures!

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  51. jesh StG28 March 2013 at 08:13

    Your pics are incredible!! Now I feel like flying (which I will, in May):)

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  52. NatureFootstep28 March 2013 at 09:22

    I love teh Ganents. They were the reason why I went to Scotland last summer. Saw a lot of them, but not this close. :)

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  53. Unknown28 March 2013 at 11:19

    These photos are awesome!

    -HankenImports.com

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  54. Pat Tillett28 March 2013 at 11:20

    Beautiful birds and photos! I love that little splash of color on the back of their head and neck.

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  55. thewovenspoke28 March 2013 at 11:29

    Stewart, you do beautiful photography love these shots!

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  56. SandyCarlson28 March 2013 at 13:22

    A pure beauty!

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  57. A Colorful World28 March 2013 at 17:52

    These are really stunning birds, and I think you captured them wonderfully! Sorry to be so infrequent in my participation of Wild Bird Wednesday...hope to go birding soon and maybe I will have a shot or two to share!

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  58. Arija28 March 2013 at 21:59

    Very beautiful flight shots Stewart, hats off to you! Those gannets have such charmingly painted faces, like pelicans. I am always amazed at the variety in God's creatures.

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  59. Anonymous29 March 2013 at 07:25

    These are beautiful shots, Stewart!

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  60. Fergiemoto29 March 2013 at 10:10

    These are cool shots! I have not seen this bird before.

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  61. Black Jack's Carol29 March 2013 at 11:58

    I, too, have never seen a gannet and must say that your photographs are spectacular!

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  62. Annette19 August 2013 at 12:04

    These Gannets have recently begun feeding in large numbers 200 metres off shore at Port Melbourne, 25 miles up the Bay from there breeding area. We live in an 18th floor Apt in Melbourne and we can watch the birds diving constantly as the small fish must be around in large numbers.

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